One For The Books

Silver Trail Donation Benefits Youth At Lauderdale School.

Kenyanna Haynes was beaming after spending the morning with students from Silver Trail Middle in Pembroke Pines.

"They gave me an egg, and a book, and they read a story to me," said Kenyanna, 5, of Fort Lauderdale.

Forty-eight Silver Trail students recently paid a visit to North Side Elementary in Fort Lauderdale. They donated more than 1,000 books for pre-K to second-grade classes and handed out eggs filled with candy.

For more than a month, the Student Council and Florida Future Educators of America club organized the "Read from the Heart" book drive to benefit students at North Side.

Dressed as spring bunnies, they read to the children and asked them questions to get them thinking.

"We're asking simple questions related to the story like who, what, when and where," said Jessica Gonzalez, 11, of Pembroke Pines.

"They don't have enough money to buy books, so we can help them with that," said Amber San Angelo, 12, of Pembroke Pines.

Silver Trail began its Read from the Heart campaign nine years ago to help schools in need.

Student Council adviser Susie Holland said it's a moving experience for the students.

"When they get on the bus, they are in tears," she said. "It touches them because they come from affluent neighborhoods and they don't know what this is all about."

Student Amanda Frye of Pembroke Pines donated 50 books from her home.

"It feels good to help," she said.

The staff at North Side was appreciative for the help. Principal Michaelle Pope said it's not easy to meet the students' needs.

"As a staff, we look for all kinds of resources to enhance the lives of the children in this community, so this is very helpful," she said.

Silver Trail officials say they will look to organize drives each month to collect items for their new friends at North Side.

Pope said the project touches the lives of students from both schools.

"The Silver Trail students learn a lesson by giving, about diversity, disparity in communities and learning to do something about it," she said. "For our students, it is a lesson that there are people that care about you."